Feb
Tudor may be part of the Rolex world, but its position in the crown brand’s universe gives it the unique ability to be creative and bold with its designs. The Pelagos dive watch debuted several years ago with a funky titanium case and striking blue or black dial. Late last year, Tudor released an updated version of the watch with an even more striking shape. To build the most useful and unique watch possible, the Tudor Pelagos FXD was developed alongside a unit of the French Navy.
The Pelagos FXD gets its name from fixed strap bars – Tudor says “FIXeD” – that give it extra strength and security during rigorous activity. The watch’s main purpose is to act as an underwater navigation aid. To that end, there’s a bi-directional bezel with special markings to time dives and change course when necessary. There’s no date complication here, and instead, blocky hour markers make the watch incredibly easy to read in dark underwater conditions.
Tudor fitted a large bezel ring with more prominent grips to allow easier handling with diving gloves (neoprene) and cold hands. The FXD’s lightweight titanium case features short cropped lugs for a chunkier, bulkier look. Beyond styling, the case shape makes the watch insanely comfortable, even with its stout 52mm lug-to-lug measurement. The comfort comes mainly from the watch’s featherweight titanium construction, but it’s also a very thin timepiece, at just 12.75mm deep. Since the fixed lug design only allows for straps, the FXD isn’t weighed down by a bracelet, though the standard Pelagos features a titanium bracelet that is extremely light.
With a water resistance rating of 200m/660 feet, Tudor’s in-house MT5602 movement, and a reasonable price tag, the Pelagos FXD is a compelling watch with plenty to like. That said, its fixed strap bars and cropped lugs may be too funky for some, especially dive watch purists. If the styling works for you, there’s no going wrong with the FXD’s features or its design, as the watch is as functional as it is unique.